A cyclist in his 70s has ridden a 2,000 miles in aid of a brain tumour charity after losing his wife and mother to the disease.

Peter Wheeldon cycled from Olympus in Greece to London’s Olympic Stadium for the Brain Tumour Charity in memory of his wife Linda and mother Bessie Wheeldon.

He started his adventure on April 30 and reached the Olympic Stadium in the middle of this month.

Peter, a dad of two who has three grandchildren, wants to raise money to help the Brain Tumour Charity which funds research into the illness and provides support for those affected.

The former nurse and nurse tutor at Macclesfield Hospital, of West Bond Street, said: “Brain tumours are a devastating and often hidden disease which are very often inoperable and terminal. Unfortunately my family has suffered this both with my wife, Linda and mum Bessie who both died young as a result of brain tumours.

“I have been lucky to do several rides for the Brian Tumour Charity, the UK’s leading charity for this work. Memories of my family spur me along through these rides, even climbing the 2000m Col De Maddelena in the Alps.

“I want to help raise vital funds for their research dedicated to fighting this devastating condition and supporting the families.

“I am very grateful for all the support I have had on my trip, especially my friends Julie and Tony who have supported me all the way. Also to all the friendly people I have met along the way.”

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Macclesfield born Peter, who plays the trombone in Moss Rose Community Band, has been supported by friends who met up with him at the end of each day at camp sites with their camper van, where they cooked for him and set him up for another day in the saddle.

Peter cycled more than 1700 miles and climbed more than 15700 - the equivalent of that nearly two Everest mountains - from Greece, along the Adriatic coast of Italy and into France already in a month. Challenging climbs included Col De Cable Climb near Gap which is 1200 m, twice the height of the Cat and Fiddle, and other climbs used by the Tour De France.

Peter’s route from Italy into France took him over the Alps climbing to 1200m.

Peter has had a few adventures on his way from the challenges of navigating unknown roads with the help of his satnav to being offered a lift by French children on their way to school in the school bus.

Go to justgiving.com/fundraising/Peter-Wheeldon